June 20

June 20, 2014:  Friday, 11th Week, Ordinary Time

Readings

• 2 Kgs 11:1-4, 9-18, 20  When Ahaziah's mother, Athaliah, saw her son was dead, she began to kill off the royal family, but Jehosheba, King Jehoram's daughter and Ahaziah's sister, took his son Joash and concealed him, so he remained hidden for years; then Jehoiada showed him to the captains and led out and crowned him.  When Athaliah heard the noise and saw the rejoicing, she cried out, “Treason!”  Jehoiada instructed the captains to kill her.  Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people; he made another between king and people.  The people demolished the temple of Baal and its altars, slew the priest of Baal, and rejoiced.

• Ps 132:11-14, 17-18  "The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling."  He swore to David:  “I'll set your offspring on your throne.  If your sons keep my covenant, their sons will sit on your throne too.”

• Mt 6:19-23  “Don't store up treasures that can be destroyed or stolen; store up treasures in heaven.  Your heart is where your treasure is.  The eye is the body's lamp; it it's sound, your body will be filled with light; if not, your body will be in darkness..”

Pope Francis

• Today's homily:  If you seek money, power, or prestige, your heart will be in chains, but Jesus wants us free.  We can only be free and happy if we seek the treasures of heaven:  love, patience, service of others, and adoration of God; they'll lead to a free and luminous heart that will age well.

• Yesterday's Mass was late, but you can catch his homily now.

Music

• Psalm 132:  This is my resting place forever/ Mui (psalm)
• I found the treasure, from The Steadfast Love/ Schutte (lyrics #16) (gospel)
• Christ, be our Light/ Farrell (another) (gospel)

Reflections

• Creighton:  Nothing is more practical than finding God, falling in love in an absolute way.  What you're in love with will affect everything, deciding what gets you out of bed, how you spend your evenings and weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you.  Fall and stay in love; it'll decide everything.  (Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ)

What's my love?  Where's my treasure?  I can examine my day to ask whether I'm recognizing and responding to the Holy Spirit:  Am I spending my time on selfish actions or service of others?  My actions can reveal where my heart, treasure, and love are.

• One Bread One Body:  Queen Athaliah stored up earthly treasure by killing off the royal family but lost both wealth and life.  Jehoiada's courageous hiding of Joash prefigures Jesus' admonition to store heavenly treasure.  Heavenly treasure, like prayer and acts of charity, is also hidden and can't be destroyed.  Jehoiada's treasure matured as Joash grew up in safety.  Heavenly treasure always yields a return.

• Passionist:  Lord, help me hold on to the most important things—faith and relationships—and be willing to let go of the rest, knowing you'll provide for my needs. 

• Universalis:  SS. Alban, Julius, Aaron, +14 companions, "Irish martyrs"

• Sacred Space

Apparel

• "Medical" pin with nurse:  Jehosheba took Joash and spirited him away, along with his nurse (1st reading)
• "Sword" pin:  “let him die by the sword.”  (1st reading)
• "Golden calf" pin:  they demolished the temple of Baal and slew the priest of Baal (1st reading)

• "Angel with trumpet/horn" pin:  When she saw the trumpeters, with everyone rejoicing and blowing trumpets... (1st reading); “In Zion I will make a horn sprout forth for David" (psalm)

• "Pearl" tie bar:  "Store up treasures in heaven." (gospel)
• "Eyeball" tie pin:  “The lamp of the body is the eye." (gospel)

• "Geek" tie (not to imply we conferees are geeks :-):  DISC 2014 ends today; catch yesterday's general sessions from Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ.  (Attendees, recall Mrs. O'Brien kept reminding us our reward is in heaven.)

• Green shirt:  Ordinary Time (season)

 Dress your life!